There's a really terrible Meatless Monday column in the Dallas Observer (the Dallas alt paper). I have a little game I play: each week I see how many times they mention meat and how many times they mention meatless foods. It's a good week if the meatless outnumbers the meat. Well, this week's column is all about how wonderful hamburgers are and the outrageousness of people wanting vegetarian options when they can eat meat. Did I mention meat?

"Given the somewhat limited culinary scope of vegetarian dining in the mass market, your Mondays have been subject to quite a few sandwiches featuring grilled zucchini. And probably a lot of cheese. And then maybe you "Meh" your way all the way back to your desk. Meatless Monday is tough."

Meaning? "Animal style" could soon get you a nasty look from the vegan next to you in line at In-N-Out, a place once reserved for voracious consumers of cow flesh to nosh their burgers without fear of silent judgment.

Shoot, that reminds me I have to give dirty looks to all 90 some odd co-workers I have that ate meat today at lunch. BRB.

OK, I'm back. Yes, In-N-Out is most certainly reserved for voracious consumers of cow flesh. That is why I hand out in the parking lot outside In-N-Out and ask carnivores to go inside and order me a veggie burger, no spread, add kethcup + mustard, onions extra tomato and fries at least once a month. Not sure if that's legal but a sissy non cow-muncher like myself needs help from a big strong meat-eater when he's got a hankerin' for fries.

_________________Half the lies I tell are not true."luckily us vegans dont go into cardiac arrest...but we do go into food comas" - Adam Crisis

On the positive side, the first article made me aware of the change.org petition. How cool would it be to get a veggie burger at In N Out?

I always wonder about this. With so many people eating less meat, and with frozen veggie burgers being so popular, why don't more of the bigger fast food hamburger joints carry them? It seems like it would make financial sense to have a veggie burger on the menu. I get that In-and-Out has a very limited menu, but why doesn't, say McDonalds, have a veggie burger on their standard menu in the U.S.?

I always wonder about this. With so many people eating less meat, and with frozen veggie burgers being so popular, why don't more of the bigger fast food hamburger joints carry them? It seems like it would make financial sense to have a veggie burger on the menu. I get that In-and-Out has a very limited menu, but why doesn't, say McDonalds, have a veggie burger on their standard menu in the U.S.?

So they don't attract vegans that give their regular customers dirty looks.

On the positive side, the first article made me aware of the change.org petition. How cool would it be to get a veggie burger at In N Out?

I always wonder about this. With so many people eating less meat, and with frozen veggie burgers being so popular, why don't more of the bigger fast food hamburger joints carry them? It seems like it would make financial sense to have a veggie burger on the menu. I get that In-and-Out has a very limited menu, but why doesn't, say McDonalds, have a veggie burger on their standard menu in the U.S.?

I wish Taco Bell would go vegan. I bet nobody would be able to tell and it might be a little better. Their "meat" is clearly mostly soy anyway.

On the positive side, the first article made me aware of the change.org petition. How cool would it be to get a veggie burger at In N Out?

I always wonder about this. With so many people eating less meat, and with frozen veggie burgers being so popular, why don't more of the bigger fast food hamburger joints carry them? It seems like it would make financial sense to have a veggie burger on the menu. I get that In-and-Out has a very limited menu, but why doesn't, say McDonalds, have a veggie burger on their standard menu in the U.S.?

I wish Taco Bell would go vegan. I bet nobody would be able to tell and it might be a little better. Their "meat" is clearly mostly soy anyway.

Hah! True. I love Taco Bell for at least being super vegan friendly. It's saved my life on many road trips and food court meals.

In my experience and what I've heard for other vegans and vegetarians going to Taco Bell is like playing russian roulette. There's a really good chance you'll get animal bits in your food. I went to Taco Bell 3 times as a vegan and on the third time I got both cheese AND sour cream in my food when I twice asked for neither. I actually bit into and swallowed some, so I was pretty mad.

_________________Half the lies I tell are not true."luckily us vegans dont go into cardiac arrest...but we do go into food comas" - Adam Crisis

Honestly I go to Taco Bell somewhat regularly and have since childhood (I know it's sad but sometimes you need 4th meal), they are not the best at taking orders in general. You have to know how to order so it goes into their computer. Like, Mexican Pizza NO MEAT NO CHEESE or 7 Layer burrito, fresco style no sour cream no meat, no cheese. They have little buttons for each no. It helps to have them read it back too.

Honestly I go to Taco Bell all the time and have since childhood (I know it's sad but sometimes you need 4th meal), they are not the best at taking orders in general. You have to know how to order so it goes into their computer. Like, Mexican Pizza NO MEAT NO CHEESE or 7 Layer burrito, fresco style no sour cream no meat, no cheese. They have little buttons for each no. It helps to have them read it back too.

The thing that drives me crazy there is that you have to say "no meat" even if the dish doesn't contain meat. The seven layer burrito is vegetarian, but they'll add meat to it unless you tell them not to.

Honestly I go to Taco Bell all the time and have since childhood (I know it's sad but sometimes you need 4th meal), they are not the best at taking orders in general. You have to know how to order so it goes into their computer. Like, Mexican Pizza NO MEAT NO CHEESE or 7 Layer burrito, fresco style no sour cream no meat, no cheese. They have little buttons for each no. It helps to have them read it back too.

The thing that drives me crazy there is that you have to say "no meat" even if the dish doesn't contain meat. The seven layer burrito is vegetarian, but they'll add meat to it unless you tell them not to.

The thing that drives ME crazy is that they do that with lettuce and I am forever saying "no lettuce" and they say, "it doesn't come with lettuce" and I'm like, I know it's not supposed too...This happens at Thundercloud too. It's hard out there for a lettuce hating vegan!

The thing that drives me crazy there is that you have to say "no meat" even if the dish doesn't contain meat. The seven layer burrito is vegetarian, but they'll add meat to it unless you tell them not to.

Really? It's been ages since I ate there regularly, but I never recall that happening to me, but I wasn't really veg back then, so maybe the shock wouldn't have stuck with me? Taco Bell was also my first job and I don't recall meat going out where it shouldnt, mainly because they were freaks about food costs.

Anyway, I've realized that Taco Bell is an easy treat/prize to use from time to time with my kiddo, so I'll probably be going more often (as in once per month or less.) But since it's fast food, I'll always check closely prior to chomping down.